Ginetta->ke3614 may be one of Britain's lesser-known manufacturers when it comes to road cars, but the Leeds-based company is quite active in the world of motorsports. It runs three different championships in the UK, two of which can be seen alongside famous series such as the British Touring Car Championship and the British GT. For 2015, Ginetta is venturing into prototype racing with an LMP track car that's eligible for a wide range of categories, including the European Le Mans Series and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The project comes to life with support from Juno Racing Cars, a sports car->ke506 constructor Ginetta has purchased in 2014.

The Brits are the first to unveil a race car for the LMP3 class, a brand-new category introduced for both the European and Asian Le Mans Series. The new class slots right below the LMP2 category and above the LM GTE Pro, with the cars featuring a closed cockpit configuration and a similar exterior design. Just like LMP1 and LMP2 cars, the LMP3 racers must include a carbon-fiber chassis, a metal roll bar, a shark’s fin mounted behind the cockpit and openings on top of the wheel arches.

The European and Asian Le Mans Series are the only competitions Ginetta is aiming with the LMP3 track car. The Brits claim the vehicle is eligible for the Malaysian Super Series, Open Sports Car Series, Dutch SuperCar Challenge and the Britcar Endurance Championship as well. Read on for the full details.

Click past the jump to read more about the Ginetta-Juno LMP Track Car.

2015 Ginetta-Juno LMP Track Car

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 Ginetta-Juno LMP Track Car
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 500
  • Transmission: 6-speed sequential
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Exterior

The Ginetta LMP's exterior design should look familiar to any Le Mans enthusiast. The body is nearly identical to those of LMP1 and LMP2 cars. The muscular wheel arches, the aircraft-like cockpit, the rear bonnet fin and the fixed wing are all present. The only noticeable difference between this and an LMP1 car is its length. LMP3 cars are six inch shorter than other prototypes, but have the same width. Expect these white- and orange-painted prototypes to feature colorful liveries once they hit the track.

Interior

Much like its exterior, the LMP3's cockpit is likely to mirror the high-tech interiors seen on LMP1 cars. This means it will feature a controller-like steering wheel, a host of gauges and switches, tons of race-spec gear and the latest FIA-approved safety features.

Drivetrain

Motivating the Ginetta-Juno LMP track car is a Nissan-sourced, V-8 engine. The British automaker makes no mention of the mill's displacement, but it's safe to assume Ginetta is using the same 4.5-liter plant seen in LMP2 cars built by Alpine, Ligier, Zytek and Oreca. The unit is available with different power options that range from 400 to 570 horsepower, depending on the series a specific vehicle is built for.

The engine mates to an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters, while a traction control system is offered as an option. All cars are fitted with an FIA-approved, high-capacity fuel system as well.

Prices

The first batch of 15 race cars will be sold for £99,000 ($159,662 as of 10/21/2014). The sticker does not include VAT, but it's quite affordable considering we're talking about a machine you can race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in 2015. Ginetta says the race car's sticker will see a hike once the first 15 units are sold, but no actual figures are given.

Competitors

Honda ARX-04b LMP2

There are no other LMP3 cars confirmed for the 2015 racing season, but Ginetta's new prototype seems powerful enough to take on vehicles competing in the LMP2 division. One of them is the Honda Performance Development ARX-04b Coupe, an evolution of the ARX-03 that's set to make its track debut in 2015. The LMP2 racer is fitted with Honda's powerful and efficient HR28TT engine, a 2.8-liter, V-6 unit based on the J35 mill found in many Acura road vehicles. The twin-turbo engine is also found in the Ligier JS P2, another LMP2 car the ARX-04b is likely to encounter during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The new racer features a lighter body, improved aerodynamics and a gearbox that can be tweaked to support many track configurations. The fuel tank, which benefits from Honda’s innovative refueling safety interlock system, now has a capacity of 19.8 gallons, while the interior was built with the latest ACO LMP2 and IMSA regulations in mind. A cost-capped chassis makes the ARX-04b eligible for all competitions governed by the said bodies.